Car axle lubeicatok



(No Model.) I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. S. PATTEN.

CAR AXLE LUBRIGATOR.

Patented July 20, 1897.

WITNESSES 204. Q.

ATTORNEYS.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. S. PATTEN.

GAR AXLE LUBRIGATOR.

No. 586,564. Patented July 20, 1897.

ATTORNEYS.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Shet 3.

J. S. PATTBN.

GAR AXLE LUBRIGATOR.

No. 586,564. Patented July 20, 1897.

ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES PATTEN, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

CAR-AXLE LUBRICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 586;564, dated July 20,1897.

Application filed September 26,. 1896. Serial No. 607,020. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, JAMES S. PATTEN, of Baltimore city, in the State ofMaryland, have invented a new and Improved Car-Axle Lubricator, of whichthe following is a specification.

In my former inventions of this class which have been put in practicaluse the oil or lu bricant was contained in an open box, or tray,arranged in the ordinary axle-box and supported by a subjacent spring,the oil being transferred to the axle-journal by means of rollersrunning in contact with it. In the present invention I have dispensedWith such rollers and employ such a construction, arrangement, andcombination of parts or devices as effect the transfer of oil to thejournal in a more direct manner.

When the oil-box is filled to the maximum depth with oil, the latter isin contact with the axle-journal and is hence rapidly taken up as thejournal rot-ates. To insure such direct contact when the oil-surface isbelow thejournal, I employ an inclined trough, or conductor, which isarranged lengthwise in the oil box or tray in such manner that the oilis caused to run up the chute and bathe a portion of the under side ofthe journal when the car lurches or makes a sidewise movement.Adjunctive to such chute and as a means of support for the same I employan elastic or spring plate, which has upwardly and inwardly curved sidewings, or extensions, that are lined with soft flexible material, suchas leather, and embrace the sides of the axle-journal, so as to coactwith the conductor foreffecting perfect lubrication of the journal.

The conductor proper is formed of flexible material, and its upper endperforms the function of a wiper for preventing oil running along thejournal beyond the bearing. In conjunction with this device I provide abaffle or means for preventing escape of oil between the adjacent sidesof the conductor and oilbox. Such baiiie is formed of flexible materialthat folds beneath the free upper end of the chute proper.

At a lower point in the oil-box I arrange a spring battle-plate and at astill lower point a rigid battle-plate, that forms a pocket forreceiving oil and preventing overflow at the inner end of the box.

The oil-box has a spring-support of peculiar construction, and it isprovided with a hinged journal cap or hood, which is in turn providedwith a hinged lid or front cover, whereby insertion of the oil-box intoand its removal from the axle-box are rendered practicable, and easyaccess to the interior of the oil-box for inspection or resupply of oilis provided for.

My invention also embodies other minor features and details, which willbe hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, three sheets, Figure l is a perspectiveview of the lubricant-holder or oil-box and its attachments. Fig. 2 isanother perspective view of the same. Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is a plan view ofmy lubricator. Fig. 4, Sheet 3, is a central longitudinal section of anordinary car-axle box in which my improved lubricator is shown appliedto the axle-journal. Fig. 5, Sheet 2, is a transverse vertical sectionon line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6, Sheet 3, is a central longitudinalsection of a portion of the oil-box on line 6 6 of Fig. Fig. 7, Sheet 1,is a perspective viewof the spring bafiie-plate. Fig. 8, Sheet 2, is aperspective view of the device combining a support for thelubricant-conductor proper and spring-wipers for the axlejournal. Fig.9, Sheet 3, is a perspective view of the spring-support for thelubricator.

I will first briefly indicate the most important parts or features of myinvention and then describe details. As shown in Fig. 4, Sheet 3, thecar-axle box a, journal I), brass or bearing-block c, and wedge (Z areconst-ructed and arranged in the usual way.

The lubricator proper is composed, first, of an open oil box or tray A,having a hinged journal cap or hood B, which is provided with a lid orcover 0; also, a fixed inclined partition D, Figs. (3 and 5, that formsan oil pocket and ba'fiie; second, of a conductor or inclined trough E,which is iixed in the oil-box A on a support F, having elastic sides orwings 6 and 7, that extend upward and are curved inward so as to embracethe sides of the axle-journal, and, thirdly, of flexible and elasticoil-battles G and II. The lubricator composed of the above parts isplaced in the car-axle box a and supported yieldingly by a spring I,Fig. 8, Sheet 3, of peculiar construction. The open oil-box A isessentially rectangular and oblong and preferably constructed ofgalvanized sheet-iron. The journal cap or hood B is hinged by means ofears 1 to ears 2, formed 011 the front end of the oilbox A, and itslower edges fit within the side edges of the box, Fig. 2. The hood B isprovided with rectangular notches 3 in its inner end to receive and abutthe lateral lugs, Fig. 4,0f the brass c. For the purpose ofstrengthening it at such end its edges are bent inward, downward, andupward, forming rightangular flanges, as shown.

The cover or lid 0, that constitutes the outer closed end of the cap B,is hinged at the same point as the body of the hood by means of ears 4and a rod K, Fig. 2, Sheet 1, that passes through the parallelperforated ears 1 2 4, Fig. 2,;and is arranged transversely and parallelto the upper edge of the oil-box. The hood B is held in closed positionby a wire spring J, which is coiled around such pivot-rod K and whosefree end bears against the cover 0, Fig. 2. The latter is provided witha hinged handle 5, by which it may be easily pulled open for introducingoil into the box A or for inspecting the latter to ascertain whether anew supply of oil is required.

The object of hinging the hood B is to enable it to be opened or pulledand held back, as shown by dotted lines, Fig. 2, and by full lines, Fig.4, when the oil-box is to be inserted in or removed from the axle-box a.It

will be understood that in this operation the hood proper, B, and cover0 act as one, since both are pivoted at the same point. Thus the hoodBand cover Q operate conjointly or independently, as the case may be.

The special lubricating devices are arranged and rigidly secured in therear portion of the oil-box A.

The conductor proper, E, is constructed of a piece of soft flexiblematerial-preferably thick rawhideand is arranged in a position incliningdownward from the upper rear end of the box A, Fig. 6. It is supportedupon a thin sheet steel plate F, Fig. 8, which is curved transverselyand has two sets of upwardly-extended and inwardly-curved sides or wings6 and 7. The wings 7 are padded with rawhide on the inner side andprovided with numerous holes that permit passage of surplus oil taken upby the journal I). The sides or wings 6 of the conductor proper are alsoperforated for the same purpose and to enable them to serve moreefficiently as wipers for the journal I). The device F holds the sidesof the conductorE in elastic or yielding contact with the sides of thejournal 17, and the same is true of the front imperforate portions ofthe wings '7. The upper edges of the latter press upward in contact withthe lower edges of the brass c, and the oil wiped off the journal I) bythe front portions of the wings 7 runs over them and thus passes backinto the oil-box A. The perforations in the wings serve as so manycut-offs and escapes for the oil, so that it is prevented from flowingalong the wings in any considerable quantity, and thus reaching theshoulder of the journal b.

The upper end of the conductor E has an extension or tongue 8, Fig. 6,which is turned back under the body of the same for the double purposeof resisting wear of the journal and forming a more elastic cushion orwiper for the same at a point adjacent to its shoulder.

The upper side edges of the conductor proper, E, are riveted to thewings 6 of support F and its lower end, Fig. 6, to the lower end of saidsupport. The latter is in turn riveted to the rigid partition D,together with the elastic or spring baffle-plate H. The said rigidpartition D extends across the oil-box transversely and is suspendedclear of the bottom of the same, and being also attached oil-tight tothe end and sides of the box an oil pocket or chamber is providedbeneath it which is of great importance in preventing oil overflowingthe rear end of the box A.

The baffie H, Fig. 7, Sheet 1, is formed of a thin steel plate havingits ends bent upward and turned over in such manner as to formfunnel-like pockets 9, Fig. 5, opening toward the center of the box A.The upper corners of such baffle-plate H are riveted to the sides of thepartition D, Fig. 5, the other portions being left free, so that theyyield and are pressed down by the journal I) when the lubricator isbeing inserted in an axle-box a.

The funnel-like pockets 9 are arranged, Fig. 5, between the sides of thebox A and wings 6 of the conductor-support F and serve to check to acertain degree the flow and escape of oil at those points. Such functionis supplemented and perfected by the flexible bafiie G, Figs. 1, 3, and5, formed of a thin piece of rawhide which is arranged transversely andriveted to the sides and end of the box so it stands practicallyvertical on the sides of the conductor E, while its middle portion 10,Fig. 6, is folded and lies contiguous to the baflie H, beneath thefolded end of the conductor E.

The spring-support I for the oil-box A is constructed of a wire or wiresections 11, which are curved or bowed lengthwise and recurved andcrossed near their ends, the latter being extended to form rests andpoints of attachment of metal plates 12 and 13. The plate 12 is rigidlysecured to the spring and made obtuse angled to adapt it to fit againstthe angular front end of the oil-box, Fig. 4, Sheet 3, and thereby pushin both an endwise and upward direction against the latter for thepurpose of holdingit in due position relative to the axle-journal b. Theother or rear plate 13 is pivoted to the looped end of the wire 11, sothat it may assume various angles when the box A is being inserted andalways lie flat against the bottom of the same when in Sim, as in Fig.4.

The plate 13 is provided with lateral ears 14, Figs. 1t and 9, that reston the wires 11 and prevent it swinging back and down between thelatter.

From the foregoing description the following modes of manipulation andoperation will be apparent: The lubricator properco1nposed of the box A,the hinged journal-cap B, its cover 0, and the various conductor andbattle attachments-dieing inserted in the ordinary axle-box a, thenotches 3 of the cap B thus engaging the lugs c of brass c, Fig. a,composed of parts 12 and 13 and the springsupport I, is then pushed intoplace beneath it. In such case the spring proper is eompressed andflattened, its ends and sides hearing against the ends and sides of theaxlebox, Figs. 4c and 5, while the plates 12 and 13 push upward and endwise against the box, so that the rear end of the conductor E is heldin easy frictional contact with the journal 1). \Vhen the box A is beingplaced in the axlebox a, the enlarged end or collar of the journal Z)distends the wings 6 7 of conductorsupport F. To facilitate entrance ofsuch ,journal-collar between the sides of said support, the latter isprovided with pendent divergent or flared wings 15, Fig. 8, Sheet 2. Ifthe axle-box a be filled to the point shown in Fig. at, Sheet 3, thelower side of the journal is immersed therein and it is obvious thebearing of the latter is copiously lubricated. \Vhen the quantity of oilis reduced so that it is below the journal, lubrication is effected bythe oil flowing up the conductor E, which is caused intermittently bythe endwise movement of the axle-box, due to lateral swaying or lurchingof the car-truck. In this case the oil bathes the lower portion of thejournal at and adjacent to the point of contact of the latter with theupper end of the conductor. Thus copious lubrication is insured whenevera car is in motion, even though there be but a small quantity of oilinthe box A. It may be appropriately stated in this connection that whenthe lubricator is first put in use the inner or rear end of the oil-boxA is lower than the front end, as shown in Fig. 4, and the depth of oilis therefore greater at the rear end; but as the hearing wears thejournal goes up correspond ingly and the conductor E also wears at thepoint of contact with the journal I) and the rear end of the boxnecessarily rises, so that its bottom becomes approximately level andthe oil of practically uniform depth. lVhen the box is inclined, themain body of oil beingin the rear half of the box, the danger of itsrushing or swashing over the rear end of said box is less than if thelatter were level. Furthermore, the rigid baffle or partition D ismainly instrumental in preventing this result, since it obstructs orbreaks up an oil wave flowing toward the rear of the box, and its actionis supplemented and perfected by the elastic baffle II and the flexiblebathe G.

The invention is therefore distinguished by effective and reliablelubrication, thus insuring easier draft and avoidance of the annoyance,delay, and danger of hot-boxes, coupled with a great economy inconsumption of oil and in thelabor, care, and attention required formaintenance of a due supply of the same in the box A.

What I claim is 1. In an axle-lubricator, the oil-box provided with ajournal cap, or hood, which is hinged at the outer end of said box, andthus adapted to be thrown back, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

2. In an axle-lubricator, the combination, with the oil-box and ajournal cap or hood attached thereto, of a hinged front, forming a lidor cover for said cap, and means for holding the cover normally closed,substantially as shown and described.

3. In an axle-lubricator, the combination, with an oil-box, of a journalcap or hood, and a cover or front for the latter, said cap and coverbeing hinged at the same point, substantially as shown and described.

4. In an axle-lubrieator, the combination, with the oil-box and journalcap or hood therefor and a cover for the hood, of a rod pivoting themtogether, and a spring coiled about said rod and bearing on thehood-cover, substantially as shown and described.

5. In an axlc-lubricator, the combination with the oil-box, havingperforated cars at its front end, the journal cap or hood, and the lidor cover for the latter, of a pivot-rod passing through such ears, and aspring attached to such rod and bearing on the cover, as shown anddescribed.

6. In an axle-lubricator, the oil-box, having a trough-like oil--conductor which extends downward from the rear end of the oil-box and isopen at each end, as shown and described, to adapt it to operate asspecified.

7. In an axle-lubricator, the oil-box, pro vided with the trough-likeoil -condi1ct0r which inclines downward from the rear end of the box,its open lower end being adjacent to the bottom of the latter, and itsopen upper portion held in elastic contact with the under portion andlateral sides of the axlejournal, as shown and described, to operate asspecified.

8. In an axle-lubricator, the combination, with the oil-box, of atrough-like oil-conductor open at each end and inclined from the innerend of the box downward, the same being formed of soft, flexiblematerial, and an elastic support for the curved upwardly-extended sidesof said conductor, substantially as shown and described.

9. In an axle-lubricator, the oil-box, having the trough-like inclinedoil-conductor and a support therefor, whose upwardly-extended sides areprovided with perforations, to adapt.

them to operate as specified.

10. In an axle-lubricator,the oil-box having a trough-like oil-conductorinclined downward from its rear end, and composed of rawhide or otherflexible material an d having side perforations, and an elastic supportfor such sides, as shown and described.

11. In an axle-lubricator,the oil-box having the trough like, inclinedoil conductor, formed of soft flexible material, an elastic supporttherefor which is extended and curved upward, and divided horizontally,thus forming two sets of wings, 6, and 7, as shown and described.

12. In an axle-lubricator, the elastic oilconductor support formed of asheet spring material, and curved or semicircular in crosssection, itssides being divided horizontally to form wings adapted to embrace ajournal, as specified.

13. In an axle-lubricator, the elastic oilconductor support, formed of asheet spring material, and curved or semicircular in crosssection, itssides being divided horizontally to form wings adapted to embrace ajournal, and provided also with pendent divergent wings at its frontend, as shown and described.

14. In an axle-lubricator,tl1e oil-box having a fixed rigid partition orbaffle, a second baffle arranged over the first and having side pockets,and a third or flexible baffle arranged at the end of the box,substantially as shown and described.

15. In an oil-lubricator, the oil-box provided with the partition D,which is attached to the rear end and suspended from the sides of saidoil-box, thus forming an oil-tight pocket, as shown and described.

16. In an axle-lubricator, the oil-box provided with an elastic orspring baffle-plate supported in the rear portion of the same and havingits sides bent upward and occupying the space between the sides of thejournal and oil-box, substantially as shown and described.

17. In an axle-lubricator, the combination, with the oil-box, of anelastic bafflearranged in and attached to the rear portion of thelatter, and composed of a spring-plate which inclines downward towardthe middle of the box, and extends across the box transversely, andwhose ends are flared or extended vertically adjacent to the sides ofthe oil-box, and a support for said baffle, substantially as shown anddescribed.

18. In an axle-lubricator, the combination, with the oil-box, of anelastic baffle arranged transversely in the rear portion of the latter,and composed of a spring-plate whose ends are bent upward and flared asshown, to form pockets in the space on each side of the journal, thesaid baffle being riveted at its rear edge to the sides of the box andleft free at the front edge, to adapt it to be depressed when theoil-box is being inserted or removed from the axle-box, as shown anddescribed.

19. In an axle-lubricator, the combination, with the oil-box, of theflexible baffle G, composed of soft, foldable material, which isattached to and forms a liquid-tight joint with the vertical oppositesides of the oil-box, and is held suspended and stretched vertically inthe spaces between the journal and such sides of the box, as shown anddescribed.

20. In an axle-lubricator, the combination, with the oil-box, of theflexible baflie G, the same being secured to the rear end and sides ofthe former, and its loose middle portion or tongue folded inward beneaththe journal, as shown and described.

21. In an axle-lubricator, the combination, with the-oitbox and theflexible chute E, of the flexible baffle which is riveted to the rearend and upwardly-extendin g sides of the oilbox, and provided with aloose central portion or tongue 10, that is folded and held beneath saidchute, as shown and described.

22. The spring-support for the lubricator proper which is formed of awire whose longitudinal members diverge from each other at the middleand cross each other contiguous to the ends, the latter being recurvedand extended inward toward each other, as shown and described.

23. The spring-support for the lubricator proper, which consists of thespring proper, whose longitudinal members are widely separated at themiddle but converged and recurved at their ends, which are extendedinward toward each other, and a metal plate attached to the upper sideof each end, and arranged transversely as shown, one of the plates beingpivoted, as shown and described.

24:. In an axle-lubricator, the spring-support for an oil-box, of thespring whose members are twisted together at the ends and also bentinward or recurved as shown, and a transverse metal plate which has anobtuse angle and is on the front end of said spring, and another metalplate pivoted transversely on the rear end of the same, and providedwith lateral ears adapted to bear upon the spring, as shown asdescribed.

JAMES S. PATTEN.

\Vitnesses:

AMOS W. HART, M. D. BLONDEL.

